With the champions guaranteed a spot in Germany, defending champions South Korea are expected to put on a good show in Group A which also includes Malaysia, Japan and Hong Kong.

Group B comprises traditional foes India and Pakistan as well as China and Bangladesh.

The Koreans are odds-on favourites to bag their third consecutive title after winning the last two in 1994 and 1999 but they are expected to see stiff competition from Pakistan, the winning team in 1982, 1985 and 1989.

India, Malaysia and Japan are also tipped to perform well at the National Hockey Stadium in Bukit Jalil.

Despite the long-term dominance of Asian hockey by India, Pakistan, South Korea and Malaysia, Japan has also emerged as a force to be reckoned with of late.

The Japanese have undergone intense preparations for the tournament and their five-match series against South Korea proved that they are on the right track.

Though Japan lost two and drew three matches, scoring 14 goals and conceding 17 during the competition, their coach Toichi Nagai believes his team has what it takes to make the last four in Kuala Lumpur.

"Our target is to make the semis and looking at how the team has performed we are capable of achieving it," he said.

"The Koreans will be difficult to displace but we are optimistic that we can get the better of the Malaysians this time around."

The Malaysian team has been in turmoil following allegations of misconduct by the junior team which played in Poland last month.

Meanwhile, Indian coach Rajinder Singh could be out of a job if his team does not win the Asia Cup following his scathing attacks on his players.

Singh, who has barred his players from talking to the press, has said that some of his team have been distracted from the game by personal sponsorship and endorsement deals.

There was somewhat of an uneasy truce within the Indian team when they flew into Kuala Lumpur on Thursday.

Singh's predecessor, Cedric de Souza lost his job in the midst of the World Cup last year.

The Pakistanis are expected to capitalize on the discontent within the Indian camp when the two teams meet next Wednesday.

"We are as ready as we can be for the tournament and look forward to winning our fourth title in the series," Pakistan team manager Abdul Rashid Junior said.

"Our clashes against India have always been epic encounters and I feel it will be no different this time around."

With penalty corner ace marksman Sohail Abbas in fine form, evident from his three goals in the friendly against Malaysia on Friday, Pakistan have every right to be confident.

It was in Malaysia in March that they ended their barren run of trophies over the past few years by capturing the Azlan Shah Cup in Ipoh.

While Bangladesh and Hong Kong are not expected to put up much resistance, China -- coached by Pakistani former international K.M. Junaid could surprise.

GROUPINGSThe draw for the field hockey Asia Cup due to begin Sunday:

Group A: Hong Kong, Japan, Malaysia, South Korea

Group B: Bangladesh, China, India, Pakistan

FIXTURES

Sunday, September 21

Pakistan v Bangladesh
Japan v Hong Kong China
China v India
Malaysia v South Korea

Monday, September 22 Japan v Malaysia
Pakistan v China

Tuesday, September 23 South Korea v Hong Kong China
India v Bangladesh

Wednesday, September 24 Hong Kong China v Malaysia
Bangladesh v China
South Korea v Japan
India v Pakistan

Friday, September 26 Classification Matches and Semifinals

Saturday, September 27 Classification Matches

Sunday, September 28 Final